Gorm
Approved Character
- Messages
- 11
- Race
- Human
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 6 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
His cape bellowed in the wind behind him as Gorm gripped the wooden neck of the wolf. Its joints creaked as it bounded off high slopes and landed on the rocky ground of a dried creek bed. Jolting forward Gorm doubted he had ever gone so fast. The sun was going down. It wasn’t long till he would be expected to appear at the meeting. He could still make it. Faster. He thought.
The red covered woodlands of Raudrvidr blurred past and gave way like a wave diminishing on the shore. An open field that lead down towards a small town. From the distance he could see the thatched rooves and stone chimneys. Some of them had small wisps of white smoke trailing from them. Gorm could smell baking bread and roasting chickens, if it was another time he might have let his mouth salivate at the thought.
As the wolf came over the last hilltop Gorm could make out two individuals making their way into the lake, heading for the river mouth. That had to be them. Though, from the distance it looked like two fishermen. He had to get a closer look. He urged the wolf to go faster. Before he knew it the thing was passing homes and people and chickens squeaked out of the way as the wolf trampled through. Gorm’s body lurched to a stop as they came to the end of the dock. Yes, one of them is noticeably smaller than the other. That has to be her. Would he gamble it though? What if the real murderer is hiding somewhere in the town?
Three breaths. Either way he had to stop people from leaving.
“You there!” Gorm pointed to a man crossing the road. “Fetch whoever is in charge of this village. By order of Jarl, Leifr von’Grimskald no one leaves or enters this village, understood?” The man only stammered. “Well, speak fool, I haven’t all day!” It took a lot for Gorm to be so forward, his voice and posture mimicked that of a leader he vaguely remembered from his youth. You had to be such a way sometimes.
Taking a wide-eyed look at Gorm and his steed the man gave him a shallow bow in reply, “Yes sir… right away!” And he began to run between homes.
As the man vanished Gorm took off down a path that would go partially around the lake. But even if he could catch up to them, there wasn’t a way to get to them. Aldori’nia’s Bend. He thought. There he’d have to catch them. The river was strait here, but in the distance was dangerous turn as the river clashed with the base of the mountains. It would push them east to the ocean. Gorm dashed back off into the woodlands. If he acted quickly he could catch them there, but he’d have to take the right route.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 7 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
AEtrana saw commotion on the docks that she had left only minutes before. Guards rand about the village and a horn sounded. She ducked her head and kept paddling. As if with one mind, both of them paddled faster. There was no doubt about it now, someone was after them. AEtrana’s heart pumped wildly as if blowing air on an ember in her soul. Yes, come. Come and die. The feeling said. But a sense of duty had command of her now, she had to get home. The flames can come later.
The small boat made its way past the center of the lake, and started to pick up speed as it began to be pulled by the current of the river’s mouth. Ahead she could see the foaming of water as it hit rock. Branches of the ever so red trees hung low, some of them reaching for the center of the river, but couldn’t quite make it. As the boat entered the river it took everything they had to keep it from hitting branches in the water and to navigate around large stones.
The sun was setting now, the yellow light gleamed off the rushing dark waters. AEtrana took a deep breath. Her mind was frantic. She was expecting to draw attention, but someone so close? How did they catch on so fast? She thought. Do they know of the vessel? Do they know of master? She took another deep breath, trying to calm herself. Though she had anxiety about being caught, another part of her was eager to fight. The feeling surprisingly added to the rushing thoughts, Kill him. Burn him. You know you want to know the name.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 8 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The sky was dark now save the twinkling of stars and the moon above. He missed the meeting. Gorm was sure the others would understand his absence; his work called him away often. I should have been there. He thought. Meeting with the leadership of the Frostlund was a big step for him and the cooperation between Warbands, not that they fought, the ties were just not as strong as they once had been. Today could have been a historical moment. And he missed it. He’d have to come up with a way to make it up to Hersir Rurik. Though, that man might have me doing pushups for the next three weeks.
Gorm crouched in an alcove along the river bend, concealed by a tall bush and a nearby tree. He would catch the murderer here. Unless they got off somewhere else, unless you’re not perfect at reading people. A part of him criticized. He sat there for what seemed like hours before the boat started to make its way past.
His heart thrummed inside his chest. The feeling reminded him of his first hunt, the thrill of the chase, having his target in sight, his bow pulled back. Happier times. Instead he stood up and gave a hand signal to the wolf. Steady. He told the thing. Another moment passed. It felt like ages. The boat passed by the apex, the trail ended here, a part of stone jetted out, almost pointing the way for the river to follow. With a wave of his hand he commanded the wolf. Both of them dashed for the water at full speed, the wolf making it there before him leaped off. It’s body plowing into the man in front of the boat, tearing him clear off the vessel and landing in the water with a splash. Gorm caught the woman in a similar fashion, his arms grabbing onto her as he fell pulling her into the rushing water.
The next few seconds were full of flashes of fire, quickly quenched by the rushing water, and the sense of tumbling, up and down becoming one as he spun. His grip tightening onto his target. His lungs burned with each grasp. Water blurred his vision—above, below it was all the same. Pain seared parts of his arm as the women touched him, but the cool water calmed his nerves. Her hand clawed at his face, glowing with sparks—until he drove his fist into her stomach. A scream, cut out by the rushing water. It ran rapidly down its path. Gorm fought. His fists pounding into the smaller woman again and again as he came up, just as he fell back down, she did the same. He pulled her to himself, bringing his elbow to her head the best he could. Instead the woman jerked another way.
“You’ll regret this!” The woman yelled then came a sudden crunch and silence.
He pulled her to himself and let the water push him along. He did his best to keep her up above the water. She was still breathing, though a large gash was on her forehead. Blood flowed out like the river itself. Gorm gripped onto a branch that hung low in the water. He was able to use it to swing himself closer to the shore. Having to grab another one as he got even closer. He was met by the wolf who pulled him out by his shirt, its mouth surprisingly scentless.
Gorm wrapped the woman’s head with the cloth that was in his bag. The man who was with them was out cold. He wasn’t sure what the wolf had done, but he secured his hands and feet nonetheless. Tying them both up Gorm threw them over the back of the wolf and started his way back to the village.
Several hours passes. The cold of the night nipped at Gorm’s cold body. His soul jumped with joy as the village’s lights flickered ahead. He tightened his grip on the wolfs shoulder. He had missed his meeting, but at least he caught a murderer. He wasn’t certain which one would matter more coming morning. For the moment he was eager to warm himself by a fire and get into bed.
